Autosport Mag: Panther Racing eyes switch to Champ Car

StickShift · 22 Jul 2005, 13:20 (Ref:1360811)

Perhaps someone in the UK can pick up this weeks issue. The Autosport website only has a brief quip on the subject:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Autosport

The team's sponsor Pennzoil is believed to be keen to make a return to Champ Cars after eight years in the IRL, and senior figures from the outfit are believed to have held talks with Champ Car president Dick Eidswick.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panther Motorsport co-owner Doug Bowles

"We wanted to create a relationship with Kevin (Kalkhoven) and Gerry (Forsythe) since we're carrying their flag in the IRL with the Cosworth."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panther Motorsport co-owner Doug Bowles

"Some of the potential sponsors we've been talking to also wanted us to look at both series."

It would be great to see an elite team like Panther come to the series, especially if they bring Tomas Schekter or Tomas Enge along with them.

I think the most interesting comment in the article was that Pennzoil would be keen to return to Champ Car. Apart from McDonalds and Tide, there are very few consumer products who sponsor cars in the series. Hopefully there are more 'real' sponsors interested in the series.

Snrub · 22 Jul 2005, 13:32 (Ref:1360819)

Wow I didn't see that happening!

I suppose it makes sense. Take away the GM funding and they probably don't have enough to survive. Assume for a minuite that CC and IRL are of equal value to a sponsor. Now factor in that the series will basically insure that if funding isn't found that you have enough money to run. That has to be pretty compelling for a team like Panther.

A little more info for those of us who don't have autosport subscriptions: http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/champcar/18347/

macdaddy · 22 Jul 2005, 14:24 (Ref:1360847)

Quote:

Snrub:
Wow I didn't see that happening!

Nobody did! This is great news, another team and a good one at that!

mwrmt · 22 Jul 2005, 14:33 (Ref:1360860)

Would CC not be a better marketing tool for Pennzoil-Quaker State for their international/worldwide products and recognition?

Either way, it'd be nice to see Pennzoil in CC.

icemachine · 22 Jul 2005, 14:50 (Ref:1360870)

Does anyone know what the deal is that had Roshfrans become "Official Lubricant of CCWS" and whether it would limit what sponsorship Penzoil could have?

Snrub · 22 Jul 2005, 16:01 (Ref:1360906)

I don't think Roshfrans involvement would necessarly mean that Penzoil would stay away from CC. At least for certain venues there are sometimes multiple official suppliers of the same kind. I'm sure one sticking point would be that Penzoil wouldn't want a Roshfrans sticker on the nose of their car like on all of the others.

macdaddy · 22 Jul 2005, 16:23 (Ref:1360916)

This article is a few days old now, but it makes me question whether-or-not Pennzoil wants to be in the IRL at all. Maybe just a one-off at Indy?

Quote:

(Panther) doesn't have a primary sponsor or an engine partner lined up for 2006.

Barnes confirmed a recent meeting with Champ Car World Series officials about joining that series. Members of his organization also have spoken with officials from NASCAR and the Grand American Road Racing series, he said.

"We're in the racing business," Barnes said of the talks. "But the main goal of every owner at Panther Racing is to win the Indy 500, if that gives you any idea (of the team's direction)."

f1manoz · 22 Jul 2005, 17:10 (Ref:1360928)

Interesting rumour. Would be good to see them cross the divide with a driver like Enge or Scheckter.

Kicking-back · 22 Jul 2005, 17:20 (Ref:1360933)

Autosport says Panther could run cars in both ChampCar and IndyCar.

nickyf1 · 22 Jul 2005, 18:06 (Ref:1360969)

I think this is a great move for panther but I cant remember [/I]autosport[I] saying anytin about running cars in CCWS and IRLICS.

Amar7605 · 22 Jul 2005, 18:18 (Ref:1360978)

They'll probably run a full season in Champ Cars, then have a couple of IRL-spec cars specifically for Indy.

Wow - this is kind of surreal. The IRL is facing issues that Champ Car had to deal with only a couple of years ago. Defecting teams, engine manufacturers leaving - it never ceases to amaze me how history repeats itself.

mountainstar · 22 Jul 2005, 18:40 (Ref:1360990)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amar7605

They'll probably run a full season in Champ Cars, then have a couple of IRL-spec cars specifically for Indy.

Exactly, as I don't believe they have enough funding or infrastructure to run in both series full time.

Once you take away the chevy free motors and cash, strangely the exact amount Panther gets from Pennzoil is just enough to run 2 champcars for a year.

Mosport67 · 22 Jul 2005, 18:52 (Ref:1360998)

I'll believe this when I see it. It may well be an attempt to squeeze some $ out of Tony George.

I hope they come to ChampCar but I'm not holding my breath.

Amar7605 · 22 Jul 2005, 18:55 (Ref:1361000)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainstar

Once you take away the chevy free motors and cash, strangely the exact amount Panther gets from Pennzoil is just enough to run 2 champcars for a year.

Really? How is this possible? I'm not trying to be negative or anything, but I was wondering where you got those figures from :-)

mountainstar · 22 Jul 2005, 19:52 (Ref:1361026)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amar7605

Really? How is this possible? I'm not trying to be negative or anything, but I was wondering where you got those figures from :-)

Autosport earlier this year.

jv#12 · 22 Jul 2005, 20:10 (Ref:1361032)

i was just on the panther raacing website's forum. there are some very unhappy people there.i hope this turns out to be true, and not just trying to scare tony george.

BootsOntheSide · 22 Jul 2005, 20:41 (Ref:1361049)

Pantehr have to look at all their options, and if Pennzoil insist on doing ChampCars, Panther would be taking a big gamble not to go with them, as they would have no guarantee of finding the right sponsor/engine package without them. It's still early days, but it would add up.

Jordi · 22 Jul 2005, 21:25 (Ref:1361070)

I sincetely have no idea whether it would happen or not, but a) Panther Racing would be a good addition and b) It would be significative to have a two-time IRL champion team having to leave for the "rival" series.

D.R.T. · 23 Jul 2005, 01:34 (Ref:1361148)

I really hope they do make the move. I have enjoyed watching them race over the years and would love to see them in the CCWS. Even just to see their cars, as the yellow or even silver Pennzoil miachines areq uite stunning.

macdaddy · 23 Jul 2005, 03:22 (Ref:1361168)

Slightly off-topic, but those bright-yellow Pennzoil cars will always remind me of Jim Hall. There's just no getting around that. And Penske before that. Pennzoil has long-been a supporter of OW racing in America.

marcus · 23 Jul 2005, 08:10 (Ref:1361255)

well it would be great for CC to have them onboard.

they are a quality team in anyones terms and any series would and should try to persued them to drive in it.

Im in two minds really , i'd love to see them in CC because I think they would be great but I'd also love to see them stay where they are because they do a great job there.

time will tell i guess.

Amar7605 · 24 Jul 2005, 06:25 (Ref:1361841)

Having Tomas Shecketer in Champ Car would be great. He would be one hell of an addition, and maybe give everyone a run for their money?

Dov · 24 Jul 2005, 19:56 (Ref:1362280)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amar7605

Having Tomas Scheckter in Champ Car would be great. He would be one hell of an addition, and maybe give everyone a run for their money?

I think it would be a great idea if Panther Racing moved to Champ Car, but what has Scheckter done in his career so far that makes you think he might give PT, Seb, Junky, Wilson, CdM, Allmendinger a challenge ?

Tim Northcutt · 24 Jul 2005, 22:36 (Ref:1362405)

The word I'm hearing is that Panther may be doing both, one, or even going to Grand Am...

They are focused on the tasks at hand right now, and will make their announcement in September...

They are exploring all options...

Amar7605 · 25 Jul 2005, 05:20 (Ref:1362518)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dov

I think it would be a great idea if Panther Racing moved to Champ Car, but what has Scheckter done in his career so far that makes you think he might give PT, Seb, Junky, Wilson, CdM, Allmendinger a challenge ?

I never said that Sheckter was champion material. But he is exciting to watch.

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